Article of furniture and hinge therefor



Feb. 16, 1932. s, VAUGHAN 1,845,771

ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE AND HINGE THEREFOR Filed June 13, l929 Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE A nnnxnmy s. VAUGHAN, or GENEVA, rumors, near anon TownEELEa scanner cou- IPANY, or GENEVA, ILLINOIS, a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS ARTICLE 01? FURNITURE AND HINGE THEREFOR Application filed June 18,

My invention relates to articles of furniture, for example dressing tables, in which a cover or top is employed, from which depends or is supported a flexible or textile covering or curtaining. In the exemplification of my invention herein shown I illustrate a dressing table in which curtaining extends from the top to the floor throughout the entire portion of the dressing table except the back, the back being positioned for example against a wall. It may be desirable to use the space beneath the dressing table for storage, for example for shelves, and in employing the dressing table it may be desirable for the user to permit the knees to penetrate within the space beneath the top of the dressing table, as when the user is seated at the dressing table. For this reason it is desirable to provide means whereby at least a portion of the fabric side or covering of the dressing table may be moved aside. One object of my invention is to provide such means whereby the fabric side of the dressing table may be opened or moved with maximum ease and minimum disturbance. Another object is to provide supporting means for the portion of the fabric sides which is to be moved, which will permit ready movement and which will insure that the portion of the dressing table side which is so moved shall not be crushed or wrinkled. Another object is to provide supporting means whereby the movable por tion of the fabric side of the dressing table shall be substantially indistinguishable from the rest when it is in closed position. Another object is the provision of improved hinged means whereby the above objects may be obtained simply, cheaply and efliciently.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view;

Figure 2 is a front elevation;

Figure 3 is a detail; and

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols 1929. Serial No. 370,531.

throughout the specification and drawings.

A generally indicates the to of an article of furniture which may be a ressin table. The top is mounted for example on t e legs A although any other suitable supports may be provided. I mayif desired rovide interior supports, shelves or the li e, beneath the top A, which are indicated as at A. I do not wish to be limited to any specific form or configuration of the edge of the to but I indicate a front edge which is curved to approximate the so-called kidney shape, this curved edge being indicated as at A in Figure 1, the-intermediate arcuate recess A.

I provide as side finish or side, protection for the illustrated article of furniture a flexible fabric indicated as at B. It may .be ruflied at the topasat B and secured as by the tacks B to the edge of the top A. In order to provide access to the shelves A or to permit the knees of the user to penetrate within the line of the edge A A without wrinkling the member B I provide hinged supports generally indicated as B and shown in Figure 3. Each such support includes a body portion B which conforms, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to the arcuate edge A A and lies in the general plane of such edge, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The body portion B is connected by a curved or offset portion B with the hinge member proper B which under lies the lower face of the top A. i It is apertured as at B to receive any suitable securing member, for example a screw B Note that the pivot point is well within the edge of the top A, as will be clear from Figure 1. Note also that the hinge portion B projects along the aperture B in order to reduce the strain upon the securing member B The fabric side member B is carried out over the top portion B of thehinge support in such fashion that when the device is ready for use, with the body portions B. in the full line position of Figure 1 the body portions are entirely concealed and the device gives the same impression as if the fabric side B weresecured throughout the periphery of the edge of the top A. The fabric portion may be suppaorted on the member B as by the loop or hem {shown in Figure 4. In order toprevent any interference with the free movement of means device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without; departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting; me to my specific-- showing. 7

Iclaimz As anew article of manufacture,'anarticle of furniture including a top and a fabric side depending from said top, and a movable support for a portion of said fabric side pivoted to said top, the said'support including a fabric supporting bodylying in the general plane of the top and means for holding said support substantially horizontal at all positions, including a hinge portion extending; beneath the top and secured to the lower face thereof. 1 i

2. As a new article'of manufacture, an article offurniture including atop and a fabric side depending from said top, and a movable support for a portion of saidfabric'side pivoted tosaid top, the said support including a fabric supporting body lying in the general plane of the top and means for holding said support substantially horizontal at all positions, including a hinge portion extending beneath the top and secured to the lower face tl1ereof,-at a point substantially within the edge of said top. I p 7 3. In combination with a top for a piece of furniture, a pivoted support including a body portion conforming to and lying in the same plane as the edge of the top, and a hinge portion inwardly projecting therefrom, underlying said top and pivoted to the under side thereof.

4. In combination with a top for a piece of furniture, a pivoted support including a body. portion conforming to and lying in the same plane as the edge of the top, and a hinge portion inwardly projecting therefrom, underlying said top and pivoted to the under side thereof, at a point substantially withinfthe periphery of the top.

5. A piece of furniture'including a rigid top structure, fabric side walls depending therefrom, a fabric front wall, means for movably supporting the front wall comprising an arm having a fabric supporting portion conforming in shape to the front edge of the top'fstructure and lying in the same, general plane therewith, said arm also having an inturned hinge portion offset below the plane of the fabric supporting portion of the arm and extending beneath the top structure, and

ivotally securing the arm to the under side 0 the top structure.

Signed at Geneva, county of Kane and State of Illinois, this 10th day of June, 1929.

BERKELEY S. VAUGHAN. 

